Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president, came out in a public speech to announce his decision to recall the country’s ambassador to Apartheid Israel. the move comes as an expression of the Venezuelan “indignation” over the military offensive in Lebanon.
In a televised speech on Thursday, he stated: “It really causes indignation to see how the state of Israel continues bombing, killing … with all of the power they have, with the support of the United States.” He added: “It’s hard to explain to oneself how nobody does anything to stop this horror.”
The Venezuelan president has inaugurated the Bolivarian process that is slowly changing the political and economic structures of power in the country and has clearly moved Venezuela on the side of the people struggling against colonialism and imperialism. Chavez has expressed his support for Palestine and the struggle of its people in many occasions. The time has been ripe for a clear act of solidarity.
Chavez further insisted on the role of the US as unconditional backers of the Zionist regime. âOne of the reasons for which the US administration seems so horrific to the world, is that it has not permitted the Security Council to take any action to stop the genocide that Israel is currently perpetrating against the people of Palestine and the people of Lebanon.â
Venezuelaâs move comes as part of a broad campaign to recall ambassadors from Apartheid Israel. In Latin America and other countries solidarity activists and social movements pass motions, collect signatures and fill the streets in powerful demonstrations. It is hoped that the influence of the Bolivarian movement all over Latin America can give further input to the popular demands.
Venezuela still keeps economic relations with the Occupation and Palestinians and activists are still awaiting a clear no from the Chavez administration to the proposed Free Trade Agreement between the Mercosur (the economic alliance between Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela) and Apartheid Israel.